The ride back to the capital only took a couple of hours, yet to Elina it felt longer than the journey to Maliri’s. Her skin crawled every time her eyes drifted towards the bag holding the book by June’s legs. Her body was stiff from the stress. By the time the carriage rattled through the city streets, it was late afternoon. The autumn sun, lower in the sky than it had been only weeks ago, cast long golden rays across the rooftops.

  Stretching her cramped body as she stepped out of the carriage, she grimaced as she turned to June.

  “Let’s hurry. The sun will be down soon!” she said, looking at the bag in his hands. “Let’s go to the bookstore first—it’s right there— then the market. If neither of them knows anything about the book, we burn it.”

  “Alright.”

  Quickly crossing the street to the bookstore, Elina paused for a brief moment before pulling the door open. With a creak followed by the ringing of a small bell, the door swung open. She stepped inside, quickly, eager to get rid of the horrid book. Her eyes darted around the shop, searching for the woman who sold the book to her.

  The store looked unchanged from her last visit. The stacks of books she had left in the corner still lay undisturbed, yet something felt wrong. A faint, unfamiliar sweet scent lingered in the air, a hint of chemicals mixed with it. Scrunching up her nose in discomfort, she frowned. The unnatural smell made her feel nauseous.

  The bell above the door jangled again as June entered behind her. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him stiffen at the strange atmosphere.

  Before she could speak, a voice called from the back of the shop.

  “Welcome. How may we help you?”

  From the dimness emerged a man, his eyes painted with bright blue makeup drawn into sharp points at the corners. He tilted his head and looked at her.

  “Are you looking for something in particular?”

  Elina swallowed hard, taking a step back under his stare. “Where’s the owner of this store?” she asked.

  “Lauren? Unfortunately, she’s feeling rather… under the ground. But don't worry—I can take care of you.” The man covered his mouth with his hand and chuckled to himself.

  Elina’s pulse quickened. “Is… is that so? Can I ask you for your name?”

  “My name is Noka. Grandson to Lauren,” he replied smoothly, his sharp eyes flickering from June to Elina, then back to June.

  Noka was short in stature for a man—only slightly taller than Elina—but he moved with the arrogance of someone who thought himself towering. His dark hair was pulled back into a short ponytail, and his black shirt embroidered with bronze colored stitching was tight on his body. He stepped closer, the lean but well-defined muscles under his shirt shifting with the movement.

  “Elina, we need to go. We don’t want to keep the guards outside waiting,” June loudly said from behind her.

  Guards? Calling me Elina in public? He also noticed that something's off!

  “I think we’ll return at a later date,” Elina said, taking another step back. Keep smiling. Don’t startle them, she told herself.

  “Princess,” Noka said, his voice sliding into her like a blade. “I heard my grandmother sold you a book. I'm so sorry, but that book was never meant to be sold. It's actually a family heirloom. I was hoping that we could buy it back from you.”

  Princess? I never told him that!

  Feeling her blood run cold, Elina stammered, her heart beating rapidly. “I think you have me confused with someone else. We need to go.”

  “Am I? Forgive me. I must have been confused,” Noka lifted one brow, his smile never faltering. “But you did purchase a book from my grandmother, did you not?”

  Forcing herself not to look towards the bag in June’s hands, Elina swallowed. “No, since I couldn't read it, I didn’t buy it. Please tell Lauren that I will come back at a later time.”

  Noka’s eyes slid to June, his lips curling. He raised his hands in front of him; his palms open to the ceiling. “I think you’re lying, Princess.” His voice dripped like honey.

  “Zaya, please prevent them from leaving the store.”

  From behind, a shadow emerged from the cover of a bookshelf. Elina spun around to see a massive man blocking the only exit. She hadn’t noticed him before!

  The man was large, but what caused her breath to catch was how fast and fluid his motions were.

  “Yes, master Noka,” the giant rumbled. As he shifted, the sunlight that was streaming in through the small glass panels on the door was blocked, causing the room to darken noticeably.

  “Elina, stay behind me.” June snapped, his right hand touching the hilt of his sword. His body was tense from the situation.

  Cursing herself for insisting he leave his shield, Elina stepped into his shadow, heart beating painfully in her chest. Turning to Noka, she tried to reason with him, her hands clenched tightly in a balled-up fist. “We don't want trouble. How about I pay you all the gold I have, and I swear that I will never mention this to anyone.”

  Looking at Elina as if he had found the most interesting toy, Noka laughed out loud, his face glowing with happiness. “Princess, you seem to think we are common robbers. But you are wrong.”

  “Then what do you want? Our lives?” Elina demanded, anger slowly mixing with the fear that was coursing through her body.

  “Oh my.” Noka feigned surprise, covering his mouth with delicate fingers. “So dramatic. How did you come to that conclusion? No. I don't kill people I think are beautiful. And luckily for you two… I think you’re beautiful.”

  He leaned forward, his smile twisting. “But Zaya? He kills anything that gets in our way. So, I suggest you… work with us.”

  “What do you want!” June demanded, his eyes constantly flickering from Zaya to Noka.

  “The book in the bag you’re carrying,” Noka calmly answered, stepping closer to them.

  Feeling her stomach drop in a rush of emotions, Elina watched as June slowly took his hand off his sword’s hilt and pulled the book out of the bag, holding it in front of him like a shield.

  “Let the Princess go first, then I’ll give you the book,” he said.

  Hearing his words, Noka’s eyebrow raised as he smirked in amusement. “You think you’re so clever. Doesn't he, Zaya?” He clapped his hands together softly. “But I don't think he’s in a position to negotiate. I could take the book from you, and you wouldn't be able to stop me. Do you know the horrible truth of this life? If you don't have the strength to back up your words, then your words are worthless. And right now, your words are worthless.”

  Feeling an uneasy truth to the words, Elina opened her mouth to retort. Just because something feels worthless doesn't mean it's not right. But before she was able to utter anything, the world seemed to explode in motion.

  With a grunt followed by a scraping noise, June snatched a bronze statue from a bookshelf and hurled it through the window, shattering the glass and tearing down the blinds. Startled shouts filled the room as cool air and light streamed into the dim room.

  He’s trying to get the attention of the people outside! Elina realized.

  “You are clever!” Noka shouted, his body flowing towards June in a blur. “Attracting the people outside. Hoping they call the guards?”

  Kicking June’s wrist to stop him from drawing his sword, Noka slipped past him, ducking under the book June swung at him. In a flash, he stepped behind him, locking his eyes on Elina as he wrapped one arm around June’s neck. From nowhere, a knife appeared in his hand, the dim light of the room making it look almost black. Smiling broadly, Noka drove the blade down hard, stabbing June in the stomach.

  There was a horrifying gasp as June clutched at his stomach, his body tensing.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “Do you feel that?” Noka said, his voice a whisper. “I just stabbed you. Can you tell me how that feels? Well… maybe later. I have places to be.”

  Letting the boy crumple at his feet, he bowed to Elina, the smile on his face ever vanishing.

  Elina’s mind was screaming, her body numb, unable to move. It was as if she were in a dream.

  What’s happening! This can’t be real!

  Straitening up from his bow, Noka bent down and snatched the book from June’s hands.

  “You really did have it!” he sang cheerfully, flipping through the book.

  Stepping over the boy, he turned to Elina. “Don’t worry, Princess, I won't kill you. I told you… I don't kill beautiful people. If you’re quick, you can still save the boy. I didn’t stab any of his organs. Zaya, let’s go!”

  Whistling whimsically, Noka strolled out of the store, the book carefully tucked under his arm. Zaya gave Elina a final nod before following him out. He closed the door carefully behind him.

  Cold air rushed past June’s ears as he flew higher and higher. Taking a deep breath of the thin air, he held his breath as he folded his wings. For a moment, he hovered frozen in space before plummeting down.

  Air whistled past him, his senses enveloped by it—the sound and sensation surrounding him. Grinning, he spread his wings wide, jetting forward, the sunlight glinting off him. Laughing out loud, he flew from one cloud to another, hiding mischievously before bursting out in a display of grand strength and energy. Flying for miles and miles in the blink of an eye, he stared down at the world below him. The cities, towns, and farms nestled happily between the mountains and forest look like a painting to him from this height.

  Flexing his wings, he gained speed, each powerful flap carrying him faster and faster as he soared towards the ocean, the crystalline waves beckoning him. Flying over the endless ocean, June banked left, then up, flying directly at the sun, the bright light causing him to squint.

  Blinking with more effort than he should have, he opened his eyes, the bright light of the sun causing him to close his eyes again in pain.

  “You're awake?” Grandpa Veston’s familiar voice sounded from his side. Surprised, June glanced around, groaning as he realized he was lying on his bed at the blacksmith.

  “What happened?” he asked, his dry voice cracking.

  Why is my throat so dry?

  “You were stabbed. The carriage driver alerted the city guards. They were able to reach the bookstore soon after the men who attacked you left. Throwing the statue outside to cause a commotion was a good idea. It probably saved your life,” Grandpa Veston answered, tottering over with a glass of water.

  “Is the Princess safe?” June asked, trying to sit up and reach for the cup. He was so thirsty.

  “Stop moving so much, the Princess is fine. They didn't touch her. You, on the other hand, have been in bed for ten days. You need to take it easy.”

  “Ten days?”

  Feeling a rush of emotions, June sank back into his bed, his eyes scrunching at the pain.

  “Grandpa, can you help me with the water?”

  “Hold still, boy,” Grandpa Veston said, reaching behind June’s head to steady him before bringing the cup of water to his lips.

  June took a sip of the room-temperature water, sighed, and asked.

  “Grandpa, who were those people? I didn't even have the chance to defend myself.”

  Setting the cup of water on the nightstand, Grandpa Veston sat down on the edge of the bed.

  “There are no leads. The guards questioned everyone, but no one could remember seeing the men. If you recall anything, it will help the investigation.”

  June tried to organize the hazy memories that seemed just out of reach, stitching together fragments of thoughts.

  “When we entered the store, there was a strange smell. It reminded me of Midnight Thistle. But what really made me realize that something was wrong was the piles of books… They hadn’t been touched since we were there three days ago.”

  Taking a slow, controlled breath, June asked the question he feared most.

  “Do you know what happened to the owner of the store?”

  “They found her body in the back room. She had been dead for a couple of days before you entered the store. If I had to guess, the killers used some chemical to keep the body from smelling. That’s what you smelled.”

  Gulping down the sadness and guilt, June closed his eyes.

  “Grandpa, how much longer do I need to stay in bed? I have to search for the killers.”

  Veston rested a hand on June’s arm.

  “It’ll take about a week before you can walk unassisted. And a few months until you regain your full strength. You’re in no position to be looking for them.”

  June knew his grandfather was right, but the disappointment and frustration still weighed heavily on him. “Is there anything I can do?” he whispered, as a wave of exhaustion slammed into him. His eyes were starting to grow heavy again.

  “Don't worry. I’ll make sure you regain your strength. Once you do, you can decide what comes next,” Grandpa Veston muttered. June’s head sank deeper into his pillow as he fell back asleep.

  When June finally drifted off, Veston remained at his side, his hands resting on the boy’s chest and stomach. Slowly, a warm glow spread across June’s body, his pale complexion beginning to recover its health.

  Noka and Zaya sat in the basement of a small, shabby house, its sturdy stone walls thick enough to suppress any noise that came from inside. The air was damp from the constant dripping of water, and the foul stench of mildew permeated the atmosphere. Between them flickered a single lantern, its light casting dark shadows on the walls.

  “Master Noka, is it not wise to leave Salizia?” Zaya asked, his attention on his sword. “We are extremely wanted at the moment.” His large, dexterous hands skillfully passed over the blade, the sound of a whetstone filling the air.

  “Zaya! This is why I am chosen, and you are not!” Noka replied, his beautifully colored eyes peeping out from behind the human-skin book he was reading. “Salizia is the last place they will look for us!”

  Closing the book, he ran his finger down the front of its cover. He gestured to Zaya. “I need you to bring me ten virgins! We must have them if we are to be able to read this book.”

  “Ten virgins?” Zaya questioned, his hands stopping. “Is it wise to cause trouble so soon after killing that lady and boy?”

  Sighing at Zaya’s cowardice, Noka rubbed his temples as he explained. “It is paramount that we deliver this book to our master in a condition that he can read. Sometimes, we must take risks!”

  “But what does a virgin have to do with reading the book?” Zaya pressed, deep lines appearing on his face as he tried to understand.

  “Why do you have so many questions today? Just go get them! Unless you want me to beat you until you do,” Noka shouted in exasperation, his hand reaching for a wooden stick.

  “No, Master Noka. I will go get them!”

  “Good, you have one week!”

  “Yes, Master Noka.”

  A week later, Noka stared at the ten huddled children locked within a cage in the basement, his eyes widening.

  “Zaya, why are they all children?” he questioned, his mouth pursed together as he stared at the terrified children. “Are you some sort of pervert?”

  “No, Master Noka, you asked for virgins. I didn't know who was a virgin and who was not. So, I only took children… just to be safe,” Zaya replied, inching away from the stick in Noka’s hand.

  There was a slight pause as Noka mulled it over, his sharp eyes narrowing in thought. “That… does make sense,” he finally whispered, a strange look appearing on his face. Turning, he patted Zaya on his shoulder.

  “I’m sorry that I questioned you. You did a good job. Now I want you to stab them in the heart and drain their blood into a tub. I would do it myself, but I have a weak constitution and could never bring myself to commit such a cruel act. You, however, you’re a brute. You’ll be able to do it!”

  “Stab them in the heart?” Zaya repeated, his eyes widening. He was clearly dumbfounded at what he was told to do.

  “Yes, Zaya. If this is not done by lunch, I’ll use your blood instead. I suspect you’re a virgin as well,” Noka said. His patience was wearing thin.

  As the words came out of his mouth, the room seemed to drop in temperature. The children started to scream as Zaya glanced over at them.

  “Yes, Master Noka.”

  Walking out of the dark basement, Noka hummed happily to himself, his mood oddly light for someone who had ordered the death of children. He strolled into the run-down kitchen at the back of the house and began preparing lunch, casually tossing scraps and vegetable trimmings out through the broken window.

  Settling down to a bowl of vegetable soup, he blew on its surface before taking a sip. It was perfect.

  After finishing, he cleaned up by tossing the leftovers out the window and stepped outside.

  The weather was crisp and clear, the kind of day Noka enjoyed most. Wondering along the perimeter of the house, he took in the scenery before returning to the house. Once back, he started a series of complicated stretches, holding each pose for almost a minute before changing to the next one. Exhaling with satisfaction, he began to whistle a jaunty tune, his footsteps light as he descended the narrow stairs back into the basement.

  “Zaya, is it done?” he asked, observing as the wide-eyed man set down the last child.

  “Yes, Masker Noka.”

  Walking to the tub of blood, Noka paused, his lips pressing into a thin line. “That's not that much blood,” he finally said.

  “Master Noka, children do not have that much blood,” Zaya answered.

  “Ahh, that explains it!” Noka said, clapping his hands together in understanding. “Now, Zaya, watch this.”

  Taking the book, he carefully placed it into the pool of blood.

  As the book touched the blood, a sizzling sound echoed from it as the liquid was rapidly absorbed. Within a few minutes, the last drop was gone, and the old book glowed faintly before returning to its original form.

  Picking up the book, Noka flipped open the cover in giddy excitement, revealing the changes to the pages. “Zaya, look! The first few pages have been translated to Old Elvish!”

  “Master Noka, I cannot read Elvish. I cannot tell the difference between what is new and what is old,” Zaya replied uneasily.

  “You don't know how to read Old Elvish?” Noka exclaimed, his voice dripping with mock horror. “Well, for the uninformed, this is a book detailing an ancient and powerful martial system! Once it has drunk enough blood, we will unlock the full might of the ancients! I am glad that the rumors about needing virgin blood were correct!”

  “You weren’t certain the book required virgin blood?” gasped Zaya. “What would have happened if the blood ruined any chance of us being able to read it?”

  Laughing darkly, Noka snapped the book shut. “The rumors are over a thousand years old! How could we blindly believe them? I must admit, I had my doubts… it is quite the relief to see they were true.”

  The sight of Zaya’s face draining of color only made Noka laugh more. “We still have countless pages to decipher. I suspect we may need over a hundred bodies! It is unwise to keep kidnapping children recklessly. We must think of a more efficient method. Do you have any suggestions? You always seem to have a twisted mind!”

  Zaya hesitated, his voice trembling. “We can raid the priests and nuns in the shrines and churches… Many of them have sworn vows of celibacy. Add in certified virgins from the underground markets, and we wouldn’t need to harm children.”

  “Priests and nuns!” Noka bellowed, laughter echoing off the stone walls. “Zaya, you truly are a degenerate! It terrifies me how quickly your mind finds such twisted solutions! But… I must admit, it makes sense!” His grin widened, eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction. “We can also take some orphan children. It will speed up the process and help this country get rid of its unwanted!”

  Seeing Zaya’s protesting face, Noka started to laugh again, a sound devoid of any humanity. “Zaya, prepare yourself! We leave within the hour. We have a mission!”